Monthly Archive for June, 2008

We have only been here a few weeks but have already seen what New Zealand has to offer in the direct mail industry.

The biggest problem I see here is the hand delivered unaddressed flyers, or circulars as they are called here, from advertisers such as KMart, The Warehouse, Mitre10, local newspapers, grocery shops and other major retailers.

Here’s how it works, the retailer will hire a direct marketer to deliver circulars (nothing unusual), then the direct marketer will hire hand deliverers such as mums at home, students, etc.. who need a few extra bucks and “want to get fit” to deliver them to mail boxes in demographic areas. I see these people walking the streets with baby strollers and shopping trolleys full of circulars. The only way to ensure you do not receive these kinds of circulars is to put a sticker on your mailbox that says “No Junk Mail” or “No Circulars”. This works.

A company in New Zealand, also based in Christchurch, called LetterBoxer.org.nz gets volunteers together to go around the streets and give out No Junk Mail stickers for mailboxes. The stickers are free and paid for by city and regional councils like Environment Canterbury.

The other kind of junk mail I have seen so far is from companies that most people have business relationships with, such as banks, insurance, university Alumni, etc… sound familiar?! I have not seen many catalogs as yet, just a few, but to be honest I haven’t been shopping much yet! I know they are around but not to any extent like the USA.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs in NZ also acknowledges the use of these signs on mailboxes. A section at the bottom of this article indicates that a company has created a “Do Not Mail” list you can add your name to called the Name Removal Service. Consumers can write to the Marketing Association (oh, BTW, previously known as the DMA!) and add their names to the list which in turn reduces the number of unsolicited calls and mailings. Who would have thought, the DMA’s Mail Preference Suppression list all over again. FYI, they do note that “… it will not stop communications from organisations with which you have an existing relationship, e.g. your bank, your lawyer, etc.” I would also assume, which they fail to mention, is that you will only be removed from members mailing lists as it is a members based service!

I find it interesting that no matter where you go the system is pretty much the same, in NZ it is on a much smaller scale however.

When www.stopthejunkmail.com was first launched in Colorado in 2001 the original price was $9.95, so we are winding back the clock to 2001 here at stop the junk mail. As of today we are are cutting our price for a household membership in half to $9.95.

Stopthejunkmail.com is a service to stop unwanted postal junk mail coming to your US postal service mail box and our mission here is to help consumers protect their privacy by reducing the number of times their names appear on mailing lists.

Stopthejunkmail.com features include; annual unlimited membership, all types of junk mail , 100% money back guarantee, personal account tracking, direct mail list of over 9000 companies, change of address feature, ability to add all household members to members accounts, small business memberships, search facility and an informative expert advice blog.

Well we are finally here, I feel like it has been forever since we started our move towards our year down under here in Christchurch, New Zealand As of May 1st we have settled into a lovely house in picturesque Papanui, Christchurch. Christchurch is a town/city of about 400,000 people but everything is only 15mins, on the middle of the South Island’s East coast. The snow capped peaks are to our West (yes, it’s the start of winter down here) and the ocean is to our east about 10 mins. It is a very English city with beautiful gardens and architecture, wonderful schools which the kids are really enjoying and plenty of outdoor activities much like Boulder, Co. It has been a pretty painless move.

Today we took a hike up around the Hills from Taylors Mistake to Godley Head, a huge hiking and mountain biking area. The views were brilliant, visibility unlimited, sunny and calm, a few sheep here and there. We could see for miles up and down the coast, the ocean was a wonderful blue green and crystal clear. At the same time you could see the Southern Alps covered with snow. It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s hard to get a work out when all you want to do is stop and take in the scenery! In contrast last week we hiked in the bush up on Victoria’s Park to the Sign of the Kiwi, gorgeous green and lush native bush and birds urging us along the moss covered trails to a lovely little cafe at the Sign of the Kiwi. Of course you have to have a break for tea!

It’s great to watch a bit of rugby again too, the All blacks play Ireland today and we are off to see the local Canterbury Tactix netball team next weekend in the ANZ Championships.

The one thing we have noticed in New Zealand is the amount of junk mail we DON’T get. More on that later.

The theme for World Environment Day 2008 is climate change with a focus on moving towards a low carbon economy and lifestyle.

The theme also includes the role of forest conservation and sustainable forestry in achieving domestic and global climate change goals. Try reducing your postal junk mail to start with then plant a tree!

Turn just one thing off in your house. Think of all those appliances on standby mode wasting electricity like your microwave, stove, TV and other ghosts. Try cycling to work, take the bus or train, carpool.